US opts to engage Burma, but keeps sanctions
The US has announced a new policy of engagement with Burma’s military rulers. They will also increase humanitarian assistance, but will not phase out sanctions without signs of political change.
“Burma’s continued estrangement from the international community harms the country and has direct negative consequences beyond Burma’s borders. Burma’s engagement with the outside world has the [...]
AH1N1 virus confirmed in Mae La refugee camp
Medical workers in Mae La refugee camp have confirmed the AH1N1 virus has been found in the camp, which houses around 50,000 mostly Karen refugees from Burma.
The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) is reporting the virus that has already claimed over 1400 lives worldwide has infected four children in the camp.
DVB quotes Saw Nay Hser, [...]
7th Brigade Headquarters falls
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)’s 7th Brigade headquarters have fallen to a joint force of Burmese Army and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) troops reports the Irrawaddy.
The pro-government forces began a major offensive at the beginning of June targeting Brigade 7 that has caused thousands of Karen villagers to flee to Thailand.
Last week, the [...]
Thailand to register 400,000 migrant workers
Thailand plans to register 400,000 foreign migrant workers reports the Irrawaddy. The Labour Ministry announced today it would register the workers, granting them permission to work legally in Thailand.
There are believed to be nearly four million migrant workers in the country, with about 500,000 legally registered. Many Burmese migrant workers are already in Mae Sot, [...]
Insurance payout for families of migrants suffocated in refrigerated van
Liberty Insurance, a Thai life insurance company has begun paying compensation for a group of Burmese migrant workers who were suffocated to death in the back of a refrigerated container lorry in April 2008.
Mizzima News reports Liberty paid 35,000 Thai Baht (US$ 979) to the families of 37 of the victims.
The victims were among a [...]
Shane’s LifeStream for 2009-01-11
4:40am
Updated status on [...]
Shane’s LifeStream for 2009-01-10
10:28am
Scrobbled a song [...]
Shane’s LifeStream for 2009-01-09
2:59pm
Posted a tweet [...]
Shane’s LifeStream for 2009-01-08
5:58am
Posted 4 tweets [...]
Shane\’s LifeStream for 2009-01-07
12:14pm
Bookmarked a link [...]
Goodbye 2008. Thanks for the memories
I meant to post this a couple of days ago, but never got around to it. So, belatedly, here are a few closing thoughts for the year 2008.
Things I’ve learnt this year:
I miss writing to a deadline more than I’d expected.
Sometimes it helps if you don’t know where you’re going
I would not make a good [...]
Shane’s Tweets from the week of 2008-12-02
got a craving for Parmesan cheese. #
Another day, another early morning parade past my apartment. #
off to the clinic for prayer ministry in the trauma dept. Darn. I guess this means I have to put on some long pants. #
Happy Sweet December everyone: http://tinyurl.com/69999t #
Listening to the music of the night. Well, some guy banging [...]
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Mae Sot weather
